The recently agreed and comprehensive changes to the Champions League from the 2024/25 season and the plans for a so-called Super League – in recent days there has been a heated debate in European football. While the European elite league is on the verge of collapse, the reform of the Champions League has been agreed by UEFA.
On Thursday evening, Fernando Carro, chairman of the board at Bayer 04, talks at length about these issues. The 56-year-old can also call on his experience as a member of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee. Carro is being interviewed on RTL Nitro from 20.15 CEST. The free TV channel is broadcasting the Europa League semi-final between Manchester United and AS Roma (kick-off: 21.00 CEST) and the interview with the Bayer 04 CEO will be shown in the build-up to the game.
Head coach Hannes Wolf is also a representative of the Black and Reds on TV on Friday night, 30 April. The 40-year-old is a guest of host Alexander Bommes on the Sportschau Club on ARD. The live broadcast begins immediately following the DFB Cup semi-final between Werder Bremen and RB Leipzig (kick-off: 20.30 CEST).
Things could hardly be any better for midfield dynamo Exequiel Palacios at the moment. Since Bayer 04 head coach Hannes Wolf took over the helm ahead of matchday 27, the Argentinian has been an established part of the Black and Red midfield. The 22-year-old has been in the starting eleven in the last five games and he went the full distance in four of those matches.
Why 'Pala' feels such great confidence from the head coach was explained recently in an interview with selected members of the press: "Hannes and I had a very good conversation. He said I should show why I am an established member of the Argentina team. Fortunately that worked out."
After his lumbar vertebral fracture, which he suffered in the middle of November with Argentina in a World Cup qualifier, Palacios has recently grown into the role of enforcer in front of the defence. "The tactical system suits me. The job of closing down space is something I like. I feel very happy with it," said our number 25.
Like Palacios, Kerem Demirbay has also played in every game to date under Hannes Wolf. The 27 year-old was a starter in three of the five games. Recently he scored the crucial goal to make it 3-1 in the home game against Eintracht Frankfurt. His deflected shot from 25 yards out was probably the most unlikely goal on Bundesliga matchday 31 – with a goal probability of just three per cent.
Dimitar Berbatov originally wanted to take up a new post in his home country in June. The plan of the former Werkself player (2001 to 2006): To win the new election for the president of the Bulgarian Football Association. However, 'Berbo's' candidacy has received a setback.
Borislav Mihajlov, who resigned two years ago due to racist incidents, recently announced his return to his post. He also declared that elections will be held in 2022. So Berbatov will probably have to be patient for a few months before he can launch his election campaign...
Domagoj Vida celebrated his 32nd birthday on Thursday in Bulgaria's neighbouring country. The central defender played for the Werkself in 2010/11 and today he plays for Besiktas in the Turkish capital – and as a regular first choice with the club he is on the way to winning the league title. Bayer 04 wish him continuing success in the league and many happy returns.
From the 2027/28 season, the Women’s Bundesliga will be organised by an independent league association. Following the unanimous decision taken at the DFB Bundestag (national conference) on Friday afternoon, the league’s separation from the DFB is now official.
Show more
Following the Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig (Sunday, 20 September, 15:30 CEST), some of the Werkself first team players will be heading off for the first international break of the season. Here is an overview of the Bayer 04 players called up for their national teams and all the details of their upcoming matches.
Show more
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
Show more
The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
Show more
